Police used an ARWEN gun to disarm the 18-year-old female student, who was taken to hospital
An 18-year-old New Westminster Secondary School student was shot with a non-lethal police weapon on Thursday morning after showing up to school with a knife.
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New Westminster Police Department spokesperson Sgt. Andrew Leaver said police were called to the school on the 800-block of 6th Street at 10:20 a.m. with a report that a female student was armed with a knife.
“According to the caller, the student with the knife had made comments that caused them concern for the safety of students and staff. When police arrived on scene they located the suspect standing in a hallway holding a knife,” Leaver said.
“Police officers provided verbal de-escalation techniques in the hopes the suspect could be safely taken into custody. However, the suspect did not comply. Officers deployed the ARWEN, which is a less lethal distance option. The suspect was taken into custody and the knife seized.”
Leaver said the student sustained non life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital.
ARWEN is an acronym for Anti Riot Weapon ENfield, a 37mm “less-lethal” weapon that can shoot chemical rounds or plastic bullets.